Kerry Lee Kuipers

Kerry Lee Kuipers, 67, of Lancaster, passed from this world into peace on Monday April 14, 2025, surrounded by loved ones after a brave battle with cancer.

Raised in New Holland, PA, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth J. and Dona I. Kuipers. An accomplished athlete, Kerry participated on the track team and excelled in shot put at Garden Spot High School. She earned recognition for her powerful throws and was later inducted into Garden Spot's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.

For over 25 years, Kerry worked as a teacher at Brecknock Elementary School using her gifts to highlight the strengths of her many adored fourth and fifth grade students. She had an extraordinary ability for noticing and nurturing the strengths of each child. One of her favorite traditions was directing her class's annual holiday play—a joyful event that gave her students the chance to shine and gave Kerry another reason to brag of their talents.

Kerry was a dedicated mother and spent many carefree summers planting flowers, attending horse shows, boating in Maryland and otherwise enjoying the sunshine with her daughter.

She was a constant source of encouragement and wisdom to her daughter, and later in life, her grandchildren. Kerry filled their lives with a sense of comfort, festivity, laughter, and unconditional love. She will be missed deeply by her many cherished friends and family members.

Kerry is survived by her long time companion, Max Snavely; two siblings: Kathy Fair, wife of Barry Fair and Kenneth Kuipers, husband of Vicki Kuipers; as well as her nieces and nephew. She is also survived by her daughter, Katey Petrisek, and son-in law, Keith Petrisek. Kerry especially enjoyed her role as the doting "Kiki" to her two treasured grandchildren, Cole and Teagan Petrisek.

Never an enthusiast of formalities, Kerry expressed a wish for no service. She would hope for loved ones to take time to themselves and simply do something they love in remembrance of her. If one wishes to do so, donations can be made to Hospice & Community Care (www.hospiceandcommunitycare.org), an organization that rapidly coordinated to get Kerry home so that she could enjoy her last days at home with her beloved dog, Gracie, by her side.